Balmoral to cruise from Portsmouth as part of new programme
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 22 September 2020 22 September 2020
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused cruise line, said it has launched eight itineraries for Balmoral including a number of regional departures from Portsmouth.
This follows the release of some itineraries of Bolette and Borealis, the latest ships of the company, in the past few weeks.
The 45,357 gross ton Balmoral has cruised extensively from Newcastle in the past few years. Portsmouth has previously been served e.g. by Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which went out of business earlier tis year.
Clare Ward, Director of Product and Services for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We’re so pleased to be unveiling further new cruises this week, and just as excited to be returning to Portsmouth for four of our eight new sailings.”
“On board our elegant, smaller ship Balmoral, guests will be able to sail down the Seine, seek out the Northern Lights, chase the sun in Madeira and the Canaries or visit German Christmas markets for a bit of festive shopping,” she said in a statement.
Ian Diaper, Head of Operations for Portsmouth International Port, said: "Like guests, we can’t wait to see cruises start again, so we’re delighted to welcome Fred. Olsen’s prestigious Balmoral for turnaround cruises from the city next October. Guests will have the most enviable start to their holiday as they sail from our dramatic harbour, on a long overdue cruise. This marks a new cruise era for Portsmouth and we’re looking forward to working with Fred. Olsen on this exciting journey.”
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Highlights of Balmoral’s new itineraries include:
The 14-night L2103B ‘Canary Islands & Madeira Winter Warmth’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 2nd February 2021. Prices start from £1,599 per person. Prices start from £1,599 per person. Enjoy a FREE drinks package and your tips covered on this sailing when booked by 31st October 2020.
The sunshine and scenery of these beautiful islands awaits you on this relaxing and rejuvenating late winter escape. You’ll have chances to unwind on Gran Canaria’s golden sands; marvel at the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife and Lanzarote; explore the verdant lands of La Palma and stimulate your senses with Madeira’s fragrant gardens. Meanwhile, the cities of Lisbon and La Coruña boast an abundance of architectural, historical and cultural delights.
Ports of call: Southampton, England – Lisbon, Portugal – Funchal, Madeira – Santa Cruz, La Palma – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – Arrecife, Lanzarote – La Coruña, Spain – Southampton, England
The 13-night L2135 ‘Arctic Norway & Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 4th November 2021. Prices start from £1,599 per person. Enjoy a FREE drinks package and your tips covered on this sailing when booked by 31st October 2020.
Revel in the early winter wonders of Northern Norway. In Narvik, embark on a thrilling husky-sled ride or witness Arctic wildlife at the Polar Park, while Tromsø’s attractions include Mount Storsteinen and the Arctic Cathedral. This sailing brings with it the chance to witness the wonder of the Aurora Borealis illuminating the night sky.
Ports of call: Portsmouth England – Molde, Norway – Narvik, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight stay) – Tromsø, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Portsmouth, England
The 6-night L2137 ‘German Christmas Markets’ cruise, departing from Portsmouth on 30th November 2021. Prices start from £699 per person. Enjoy a FREE drinks package and your tips covered on this sailing when booked by 31st October 2020.
Immerse yourself in the famous yuletide spirit of Germany with visits to two enchanting cities, Bremen and Hamburg. Experience the magic of the German Christmas markets, draped in twinkling lights and decorations, with plenty of traditional gifts and fare on offer. Visit Bremen’s historic, UNESCO-listed centre and Hamburg’s impressive architectural landmarks, beautiful Alster Lake and the unique Miniatur Wunderland.
Ports of call: Portsmouth, England – Bremen, Germany – Hamburg, Germany (overnight stay) – Portsmouth, England.
Princess Cruises sells Sun Princess, Sea Princess to undisclosed buyers
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 22 September 2020 22 September 2020
Princess Cruises, which is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, said it had sold Sun Princess and Sea Princess to undisclosed buyers.
The sale is in line with the parent company’s plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet. It has earmarked a total of 18 ships for disposal, some of which have already been sold.
Sun Princess that was built in 1995 at Fincantieri was the lead ship in a series of four 77,400 gross ton vessels and when it entered service, it was briefly the largest cruise ship in the world. Sea Princess was completed in 1998.
With the sale of P&O Cruises’ Oceana that was built as Ocean Princess in 2000 earlier this year, only the 1997 built Dawn Princess remains in the Carnival group fleet, sailing since 2017 as Pacific Explorer for P&O Cruises Australia.
“Sun Princess and Sea Princess contributed to significant growth in Australian cruising,” said Princess Cruises president Jan Swartz. “Both ships defined the premium cruise experience with Australians and New Zealanders spending close to 14 million nights aboard these ships. While it is never easy to say goodbye to any ship in our fleet, this will allow us to deploy newer ships enhancing our offerings for Australia cruisers and focus on bringing into service exciting newbuilds like the upcoming delivery of Enchanted Princess.”
Cunard, P&O Cruises “unbelievable super brands” – Carnival’s Donald
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 18 September 2020 18 September 2020
The UK market is very important to Carnival Corporation & plc and Cunard and P&O Cruises are “unbelievable superbrands,” the Anglo-American cruise shipping group’s President and CEO Arnold Donald said in an interview.
He also commented on the group’s decision to dispose of some older ships and pondered on a road map how to expand the resumption of operations in the near future.
P&O and Cunard are two of our anchor brands. These are brands that have been around a long time, and have great history and legacy. People love those brands so they are very central to our corporation,” he said in a webcast interview with Travel Weekly.
“It’s a very important market to the cruise industry, and certainly to our company,” Donald said, referring to the UK. “So absolutely we see continued investment and priority in the British cruise market – there’s no question about that. P&O and Cunard are two of our strongest brands and they are fundamental to our business. These are unbelievable super-brands, really.”
In early summer, rumours circulated in the media that Carnival might sell Cunard and its luxury market brand Seabourn as part of its efforts to deal with the present crisis. The company soon dismissed the rumours.
Cunard was established in 1840 and P&O in 1837.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis arrives at Rosyth
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 17 September 2020 17 September 2020
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused cruise line, said it has completed its fleet by welcoming Bolette to Rosyth, Scotland – just two weeks after taking delivery of another new ship, Borealis.
Both ships were dry docked at the Damen shipyard in Rotterdam prior to their arrival in Scotland.
Bolette was previously Amsterdam of Holland America Line, while Borealis started life as Rotterdam of the same Carnival Corporation & plc group unit.
The new acquisitions are of about 62,000 gross tons and by a wide margin the largest ships in the fleet of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, eclipsing the 43,537 gross ton Balmoral. However, their passenger capacity of about 1,400 is only slightly higher than the figure of 1,325 of Balmoral.
Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination sold to undisclosed buyers
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: More News More News
- Published: 16 September 2020 16 September 2020
Carnival Cruise Line said Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination, which had previously been put on long-term lay-up, have been sold to undisclosed buyers.
Carnival Fascination was built in 1994 and Carnival Inspiration a year later. Both are of 70,367 gross tons. The company has previously sold two other units of the class - Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration - that comprised eight ships. These were sold for scrap.
The sale is in line with Carnival Corporation & plc's plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet. It said yesterday that a total of 18 ships have ether beendisposed of or would be sold as a result.
“Upon return to operations, Carnival will still operate four upgraded Fantasy-class ships – Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise – which feature additional balcony staterooms as well as enhanced dining and entertainment options that are part of the line's Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement program,” Carnival said.
"While we are sad to see Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination leave our fleet, it is a necessary move as it allows us to focus on ships that offer the greatest variety of features and stateroom accommodations for our guests," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line in the statement.
Related to its ongoing ship enhancement program and the current pause in cruise operations, Carnival also advised guests and travel agents that it is delaying the return to guest operations for four ships until after scheduled dry dock enhancements are completed in the first half of 2021.
The four impacted ships and resulting cancelled itineraries include:
Carnival Magic itineraries operating from Miami will be cancelled until Mar. 13, 2021
Carnival Paradise itineraries operating from Tampa will be cancelled until Mar. 19, 2021
Carnival Valor itineraries operating from New Orleans will be cancelled until Apr. 29, 2021 (including the transatlantic cruise from New Orleans on Jan. 25, 2021 and the return from Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2021)
Carnival Spirit itineraries operating from Brisbane will be cancelled through May 16, 2021, with the first sailing being the Singapore to Brisbane voyage embarking on June 12, 2021.
"This extended pause in our operations has also impacted shipyard availability, and we've had to reschedule required dry docks. As we continue to work through issues related to our eventual return to operations, we are committed to providing our guests and travel agent partners with certainty where we can, although we regret disappointing our guests. We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our guests and hope to welcome them back on board soon," Duffy said.
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